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Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan
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Welcome to the 2008 City of Salem Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan website. This website serves as an information resource for all interested citizens during the Master Plan process.
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| I. PROJECT INFORMATION |
| II. COMMUNITY PROFILE AND BACKGROUND ANALYSIS |
| III. RECREATION PROGRAM ANALYSIS |
| IV. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES |
| V. PROJECT TASKS AND TIMELINE |
| VI. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
| VII. OTHER PARK STUDIES |
| VIII. RELATED LINKS |
| IX. SUBMIT YOUR INPUT ON THE PARKS MASTER PLAN |
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I. PROJECT INFORMATION
The City of Salem uses master plans to set policy and guide the development of public infrastructure (land use, wastewater treatment, transportation systems), services (affordable housing, youth services), and facilities (parks and trails, recreation facilities, libraries). Master plans typically cover a substantial time period, from as few as five years to ten or even 20 years.
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The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan identifies a vision for Salem’s park and recreation system, and presents recommendations for achieving that vision. The Plan identifies and evaluates existing park and recreation areas; assesses the need for additional parkland, open space, and recreation facilities; and establishes goals and objectives for recreation programming. The intent of the Master Plan is to provide a logical, comprehensive blueprint for further development of the City’s park system and services.
The last update to the Salem park system plan was completed in 1999. Developing a new Comprehensive Park and Recreation Systems Master Plan for the City of Salem is a unique opportunity for the city to address how it will meet the needs of its growing and changing population.
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department kicked off development of a new Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan in September. Over the course of the last several months, staff has been working hand-in-hand with the public to ensure the new Master Plan meets the needs and desires of residents. This included community meetings, intercept events, focus groups, website outreach, and an adult and youth questionnaire.
The planning process for development of the Master Plan is divided into four phases: |
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- Phase I – Inventory & Analysis
- Phase II – Needs Assessment
- Phase III – Plan Development
- Phase IV – Plan Refinement & Approval
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A. ABOUT THE CONSULTANT
The City has hired a consultant team, Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG), to assist with the public involvement, research and preparation of the master plan document. MIG has extensive experience in developing comprehensive master plans that address park and recreation facilities, open space and trails, programs and services, maintenance and management, and future staffing needs and funding strategies. The firm has done planning for many Oregon communities including Albany, Corvallis, Linn County, and Keizer. MIG creates plans that are visionary, but practical, and something that can be implemented.
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B. SALEM PARKS
The City of Salem currently has over 1,750 acres of developed and undeveloped parkland. Parks in Salem range from the postage stamp-size historical Waldo Park to the expansive natural landscape of the 880-acre Minto Brown Island Park. Salem’s 60 developed parks include neighborhood and community parks, large urban parks, linear parks and natural areas, and historic and special use sites.
Salem’s 157 acres of undeveloped parkland include sites identified as potential neighborhood and community parks, natural areas and special use facilities. These sites are dispersed throughout the city and range in size from under an acre to just over 19 acres.
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II. COMMUNITY PROFILE AND BACKGROUND ANALYSIS
As part of the City of Salem Comprehensive Park and Recreation System Master Plan, the Community Profile provides a summary of background information relevant to the planning process. The document:
- describes the Salem planning area;
- identifies existing geographic, historic and political features;
- summarizes the recommendations and findings of other major planning and research efforts relevant to the planning process; and
- provides a demographic profile and analysis.
Community Profile and Background Analysis.doc
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Goals of the Master Plan
- Create a new vision for Salem's park and recreation system that continually meets the needs of the community.
- Summarize progress made since the adoption of the 1999 Comprehensive Park System Master Plan.
- Review and update the current park acquisition, development and maintenance criteria.
- Create clear guidelines for the future acquisition and development of parks and recreation facilities.
- Engage the community.
- Conduct an environmental scan of the community, including evaluating current parklands and facilities as well as undeveloped and underdeveloped facilities, assessing demographic trends and community needs and desires, and analyzing current revenue sources.
- Develop funding strategies.
- Identify both interdepartmental and intergovernmental strategies to develop or enhance park and recreation facilities.
- Develop an economic impact statement.
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III. RECREATION PROGRAM ANALYSIS
The City of Salem currently provides a wide range of year-round recreation programs that reach a diversity of residents. Activities range from organized sports to summer camps and senior health classes. This document describes the current programs offered by the City of Salem and other providers. It assesses program needs in light of trends in recreation participation and results from public involvement activities undertaken as part of the City of Salem Comprehensive Park and Recreation System Master Plan.
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IV. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES
The City of Salem recognizes that community insight and input into the master planning process is essential if future park development is to meld with the existing urban fabric and be embraced by the public. Community input for this Parks & Recreation Master Plan was gathered by four primary ways: focus groups; questionnaires and surveys; intercept events; and four town hall forums.
List of Completed Public Involvement Events.doc
A. FOCUS GROUPS
The City hosted focus groups with Parks and Recreation staff and recreation providers and users to determine key issues, priorities, and perceived needed. These focus groups engaged the participants about their unique needs or viewpoints about parks and recreation facilities. A wide range of recreational providers participated in these two-hour discussions including representatives from Willamette University, Salem Lacrosse, the Salem-Keizer School District, YMCA, and Salem Bicycle Club.
In addition, staff met with the Design Team and Leadership Council to solicit their input on the Master Plan process. Meetings will be held with these groups throughout the process.
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Meeting Summary Documents
- Parks and Recreation Staff Focus Group – September 26, 2007
- Recreation Providers Focus Group – October 1, 2007
- Design Team Meeting – September 13, 2007
- Leadership Council Meeting – September 13, 2007
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B. QUESTIONNAIRES
A web-based and paper questionnaire was available to youth and adults in Spanish and English. The questionnaire asked about the importance of parks and recreation, use of parks and programs, community priorities, recreation programs, and participation in recreation activities. A total of 1,794 questionnaires were completed, including 686 adult, 966 youth and 142 Spanish-language questionnaires (122 adult and 20 youth).
Salem Parks and Recreation staff attended 22 meetings throughout the community and visited six high schools to gather information about recreation needs and distribute questionnaires.
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In order to assess the demand and supply of sports fields in the Salem area, each major sports organization was contacted and asked to complete a short questionnaire regarding their use of recreation resources in Salem. The results provided information about the use of Salem’s athletic fields and school gymnasiums throughout the year and contributed to the needs assessment for athletic fields and indoor court spaces.
A telephone survey was conducted to assess public attitudes, recreation interests and priorities. The survey was statistically valid, and 386 Salem residents participated.
C. INTERCEPT EVENT
Nine intercept events were held in Salem to solicit public opinion about parks and recreation. More than 700 residents representing Salem’s diverse population participated in an interactive voting exercise. Residents were asked to use five dot stickers to indicate their preference for benefits of parks and recreation, and the parks, facilities and programs most needed in Salem. Participants were also asked to record additional comments and memorable experiences in Salem’s park and natural areas. At some events, residents identified budget priorities for parks, facilities, and programs in Salem through an interactive voting exercise using pennies. All participants were given the chance to complete or take home a more in-depth questionnaire.
Intercept outreach was held at the main branch of the Salem Public Library, the Salem Center Mall, a Mano A Mano Gang Prevention workshop, the Vision 2020 Community Forum, Churches as Neighborhood Centers meeting, Salem Senior Center, and area high schools.
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D. TOWN HALL FORUMS
The City of Salem and MIG Consultants, Inc. hosted four Community Town Hall’s. These interactive forums were designed to solicit public input on a new Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. Organizations, businesses, sports providers, citizens and their family’s and neighbors attended these forums at the Salem Senior Center, Houck Middle School, Crossler Middle School, and West Salem High School. Staff issued a press release and sent emails to community organization in effort to draw wide-cross section of the community.
At the town hall forums a facilitated discussion took place regarding the community’s vision for parks; the park system’s strengths, opportunities, and challenges; and funding for a comprehensive parks system. Forum participants provided additional feedback about the future of the parks system through a survey and discussion groups.
Meeting Summary
- Town Hall Forum #1 (Salem Senior Center) – October 30, 2007
- Town Hall Forum #2 (Houck Middle School) – November 1, 2007
- Town Hall Forum #3 (Crossler Middle School) – November 27, 2007
- Town Hall Forum #4 (West Salem HS) – November 29, 2007
E. OTHER ACTIVITIES
Community Presentations. In December and January, staff attended meetings of all 19 neighborhood association. Staff made a presentation and then answered audience questions. Audience members also completed questionnaires and the intercept boards. In total, staff solicited input from all 19 neighborhood associations, 6 area high schools, and more than 10 community groups, reaching approximately 3,000 residents.
Park Inventory and Facility Rating. Staff has completed a comprehensive evaluation on the condition of parks and facilities including their accessibility, safety, design, and maintenance. Each park’s condition was evaluated and given a rating of 1 (poor), 2 (fair), and 3 (good). MIG trained maintenance staff on how to rate park amenities such as trails, signage, lighting, and play equipment.
In addition to rating each park, staff developed a comprehensive list of the park and facility inventory. The inventory included a list of park and open space sites (including acreage and amenities), information on other areas and facilities managed by the City (right-of-ways, cemeteries, etc.) and a list of park and open space sites managed by other public agencies or non-profit organizations.
Media Involvement. The Statesman Journal is writing a series of articles about the Salem Parks Master Plan. The first article titled “New Parks Plan In the Works” appeared in the October 27 edition. Readers were informed about opportunities such as the Community Town Halls that allow them to share their vision of Salem Parks. |
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V. PROJECT TASKS AND TIMELINE
A draft plan will be presented to Salem City Council in Fall 2008. There will be another chance for public input before City Council decides whether or not to approve the plan.
VI. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan? The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan provides a vision for Salem’s parks and recreation system that meets the needs of the community. On a practical basis, the Master Plan serves as a planning and administrative guide for the community, City Council, commissions, advisory boards, and staff. The Master Plan:
- Defines park acquisition, development and maintenance criteria
- Assesses community needs
- Identifies both interdepartmental and intergovernmental strategies to develop or enhance parks and recreation facilities
- Outlines funding strategies
- Articulates the economic impact of Salem’s parks and recreation assets.
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Why is Salem developing a new Parks and Recreation System Master Plan? The City is developing a master plan to assess how current programs meet the needs of City residents and how the Department can best meet the needs of residents in the future. Salem is growing and the City wants to ensure they are able to continue providing the current high quality level of programming offered to residents. The Department will develop a set of strategies and goals to continue to be successful now and in the future.
Who will conduct the planning process? The City has hired a consultant team, Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG), to assist with the public involvement, research and preparation of the master plan document. MIG will help take an objective, critical look at its programs, facilities and organizational structure.
How is the Master Plan developed? Developing a master plan takes a number of steps to gather information and data to assist with developing strategies and identifying goals. Highlights of the major planning stages will include:
- Analyzing current and future demographics of the City
- Analyzing current park and recreation facilities, recreation classes and cultural arts opportunities
- Conducting a series of interviews and focus groups with local decision-makers and interest groups
- Conducting phone surveys
- Assessing how Salem compares to similar cities
- Involving the community through a variety of forums and opportunities
How will the Salem community be involved in the process? Public involvement is critical to ensure that the Master Plan reflects the needs and interests of the community it is intended to serve. This part of the process includes numerous opportunities for the community to take part, through community forums, focus groups, questionnaires, and surveys. Information gathered in the public input phase will be used in the drafting of the final master plan.
How will the master plan be implemented? The Master Plan will be implemented over the next 10 to 15 years. The City will be looking at how to build and expand on the foundation of existing facilities and services. Future planning and programming will be geared towards meeting the needs, interests and desires of the community.
How can I stay involved with the process? Information and related documents will be posted on this website throughout the planning process. |
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VII. OTHER PARK STUDIES
1999 Comprehensive Parks and Recreation System Master Plan
Salem’s last comprehensive park and recreation system plan was conducted in 1999. Findings of the 1999 plan process were that Salem’s overall level of service for parkland was very low. Residents were satisfied with the quality and variety of parks, but were dissatisfied with the age and condition of parks and facilities. Funding for maintenance and replacement was seriously deficient, several areas of the city were underserved, and access to many parks was limited.
The 1999 Comprehensive Master Plan outlined policy direction on: funding strategies for new parks and maintenance of existing parks; acquiring parkland in underserved areas; developing new parks and facilities to meet recreational needs; and design guidelines for parks in each of eight categories. Based on that plan’s recommendations, a bond measure was submitted to voters and was subsequently defeated.
THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND – THE PARK SYSTEM OF OREGON
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), for this report, assisted the city by studying the current state of the park system; completing stakeholder outreach and interviews; creating a local leadership team to guide a planning and prioritization process; completing conservation finance analysis including comparable analysis with other similar cities; undertaking Greenprinting (a TPL-developed Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis); and, providing a set of community-based implementable strategies that focus on funding and helping to raise resident interest and vision for the park system.
VIII. RELATED LINKS
IX. SUBMIT YOUR INPUT ON THE PARKS MASTER PLAN
Comments and suggestions are always welcome and encouraged. Please send via e-mail to: Randy Dixon or by mail to: Randy Dixon, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, City of Salem Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department, 555 Liberty Street SE, Room 300, Salem, OR 97301.
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